On Thursday, September 11, 2025, at the Palace of the Republic in Chișinău, the launch conference of the project “Transfer of Best Practices and Strengthening Administrative Capacity in Regional Development Policy between Romania and the Republic of Moldova” took place, funded through the Interreg NEXT Romania – Republic of Moldova Program.

The event was organized by the Center for Regional Development Analysis and Planning (CAPDR) in partnership with the Regional Development Agency of Chișinău Municipality (ADR Chișinău), bringing together representatives of public administrations, regional development experts, and decision-makers from both countries.

The event provided a formal setting for presenting the project’s objectives, discussing best practices in regional development and administrative capacity building, as well as exchanging experiences between Romania and the Republic of Moldova in implementing European public policies.

 

“The European Union is a space of prosperity, a space of stability, a space of peace”

In his opening remarks, Cristian-Leon Țurcanu, Ambassador of Romania to the Republic of Moldova, emphasized the importance of the European Union’s role in supporting stability and sustainable development in the region. Framing the project as a concrete example of European cooperation, the Ambassador highlighted that Romania’s experience as an EU member state can serve as a successful model for the Republic of Moldova.

“This project is yet another proof that the European Union does good. The European Union is a space of prosperity, a space of stability, a space of peace. These are the things that the European Union has brought to Romania, and our experience of EU membership over these years has abundantly proven this.”

This quote introduces the idea that European projects not only fund local initiatives but also bring values and experiences that strengthen institutions and communities, providing long-term stability and prosperity.

European funds and the importance of the European path

The Ambassador went on to highlight that the project is part of a broader context of European and Romanian support, which has been present in the Republic of Moldova through various funding programs, including pre-accession funds. In this regard, he stressed that for such initiatives to continue, the Republic of Moldova must remain committed to its European path:

“I heard here about financing from the European Union, the period of pre-accession funds, all the support that comes from the European Union and from the member states, including Romania. These things exist at this moment, but it is very important to understand that for these funds and this support to continue, it is absolutely necessary to maintain the European path of the Republic of Moldova.”

Through this statement, the Ambassador reminded participants that access to European funds and bilateral support is not automatically guaranteed but depends on the firm commitment of the Republic of Moldova to European values and necessary reforms.

The fair impact of funds across the entire country

Țurcanu then stressed that European funding and Romanian support are distributed fairly and reach all communities, regardless of region or language. This observation highlights the project’s goal of ensuring regional cohesion and balanced development across the entire territory:

“We have here representatives from different regions of the Republic of Moldova, from the north, from the south, from the Prut, from the Nistru. This is further proof that European money and Romanian money, European experience, Romanian assistance, reach the Republic of Moldova in all communities, regardless of whether they are in the north, south, east, west, or of the language spoken in those communities. European support, Romanian support is addressed to every citizen on this side of the Prut, regardless of the community they belong to.”

This message underlines the inclusive and integrative nature of the project, which aims to support every community, not just certain privileged regions.

Regional development – a driver of local progress

The Ambassador further explained the essential role of local and regional administrations in strengthening communities and promoting sustainable development. Through their direct involvement, local authorities can identify the real needs of citizens and implement effective solutions:

“Regional development is what pushes communities forward. The best stewards are those at the local and regional level. They know best what the citizens and the communities in which they operate need.”

In this context, the CAPDR–ADR Chișinău project aims to support local administrations, facilitate the transfer of best practices, and contribute to more efficient governance:

“This project comes to support communities, comes to support local administrations, comes to support what we so beautifully call regional development.”

Thus, the project becomes a concrete tool for increasing institutional capacity and generating a tangible impact in communities.

Supporting bilateral cooperation and the European path

Ambassador Țurcanu reiterated that maintaining the Republic of Moldova’s commitment to European values is essential for the success of future projects:

“For these funds and this support to be able to continue, it is extremely important that the Republic of Moldova remains on the European path that the citizens of this state have freely chosen.”

This remark highlights the direct link between commitment to European integration and the tangible benefits of EU-funded projects.

Closing message and expectations for the project

In conclusion, the Ambassador expressed his confidence that the project will generate tangible results and contribute to the development of communities:

“I wish you much success in this year of work, in this year of collaboration and cooperation, and I hope that the results at the end of this project will be as tangible and as beneficial as possible for the communities you represent and develop every day.”

About the project and its strategic impact

The project is part of the Interreg NEXT Romania – Republic of Moldova Program and has clear objectives:

• Strengthening the administrative capacity of local and regional institutions;

• Transferring best practices from Romania and other EU member states;

• Supporting the efficient implementation of regional development policies;

• Creating sustainable cooperation mechanisms between communities and administrations.

Through these objectives, the project supports balanced regional development, increases the efficiency of local governance, and improves the quality of public services for citizens. Moreover, the project strengthens Romania–Republic of Moldova bilateral ties, promoting the exchange of experience and the integration of European principles in public administration.

In conclusion, the project represents a strategic step towards modernizing public administration, strengthening the capacity of local and regional institutions, and stimulating the sustainable development of communities across the Republic of Moldova. Its impact will be reflected not only in tangible results at the local level but also in consolidating the country’s European path, through the concrete example of effective and sustainable cooperation between Romania and the Republic of Moldova.